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Gear Review: GSI Pinnacle Soloist Camp Stove

WTA Team

| March 8, 2017

WTA Team
March 8, 2017

Just The Facts, GSI Pinnacle Soloist Camp Stove:

FEATURES & SPECS
Lightweight, high-efficiency, 9,629 BTU/h Pinnacle Canister camp Stove and Windscreen nest perfectly and provide ultimate efficiency regardless of conditions
IFolding handle locks into place for cooking and secures entire set for transport, eliminating the need for a stuff sack
IUnique mug/bowl solution with low center of gravity and Sip-It virtually eliminates spills while the integrated insulating sleeve keeps drinks hot
IWelded stuff sack holds set while traveling and doubles as a sink or wash basin
IIntegrated nesting for fuel canisters (220/110 g) for a complete cooking system in one small package
ICoated with TeflonÂ® Radiance technology for exceptional non-stick performance
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
MAJOR DIMENSION: 1 Person
WEIGHT: 15.8 oz.
MATERIAL: Non-Stick Coated, Hard Anodized Aluminum, Clear Polypropylene, Nylon 6-6
PRODUCT USE: Ultralight Backpacking
INCLUDES:
Canister Top Stove, Windscreen w/ Folding Base Plate, 1.1 L Pot, Strainer/Sip-It Top, 14 fl. oz. Mugs/Bowl w/ Insulated Sleeve, Telescoping Foon, Stove Bag, Welded Sink

My Story:

As the Seasons change the northern wind pushed down its arctic temperatures and with it come thousands upon thousands of migrating waterfowl trying to stay one step ahead of the ice and snow. This time of year often finds most people huddled up to a warm fire with a good book of their favorite Netflix show. I am not one of those people. The cold is what pulls me from the confines of my warm house as it brings with it the start of the hunting season and my greatest passion.

I love the outdoors in just about every way. Each new season brings with it a new set of adventures and I am always looking for the next great tale. For any of us who spend time outdoors we know that it’s not an option to just pull up to the next pine tree or flooded march and order a Big Mac. So, for use outdoorsy types we need to bring our sustenance with us. This can be as simple as grabbing a few Power Bars but sometimes we want more. Sometimes we want a hot meal or a hot cup of Joe and that creates a bit of an obstacle.

Why not a traditional fire?

Sure, you could build a fire and cook a meal or boil some water but that is not always an option. That leaves us to the self-contained stoves. There are plenty of options available from a verities of companies but none quite like those of the GSI Outdoors options. For purpose of this review we will be looking at the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist Complete.

Fully loaded…

This stove has it all! It is a fully contained cooking machine and will prove to help you quell that hunger beast in any season. Complete with a pot, cup, foon, stove, lid, wash basin, and wind screen this little guy is ready to go into just about any pack. And because it is designed to nest inside itself it can fit in just about any pack, bag, or even a glove compartment.

I used my GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist Complete on several hunts this past season and found it to be a great companion. I was able to cooks some hot meals in the duck blinds and even refill my coffee while out on some scouting tips.

Here is a picture of the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist Complete all set up and boiling water for a mid-day snack.

Extreme Temperatures

This kit did a great job for me even in the coldest of temperatures. I was able to get water boiling in a relatively fast manner. You might see in the picture that the lid does not fully meet up with the side of the pot. It did sit securely but for some reason I could not get it to match up completely.

The burner seems to do a great job and definitely sounds like its working. It is simple to operate and adjust. The only thing that I would have liked to see is an ignition source built into the burner. You will want to make sure you have a lighter or some other form of ignition when using this stove.

The advanced test

I tested the boil time on one hunt where the temperature was about 30 degrees Fahrenheit and elevation at about 1100 ft. I was able to get a full rolling boil in just over 10 minutes. Honestly, I was a bit surprised it took this long but hey, it was cold outside.

The stove went together very nicely as it was really simple to screw the stove to the canister and pretty much go from there. Where I had issues was the protective shroud that is meat to act as a wind break. This thing frustrated me to the point of almost throwing it! It would constantly fall apart and cause me to feel very real rage. Here is a picture of how it looked most of the time I messed with it.

To make it easier…

I quickly decided that I would discard this piece entirely and it made my life much less stressful. I also found that the stove operated just fine without it. As illustrated here as I boiled some water for a new pot of coffee while out scouting for geese.

After using the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist Complete I can confidently say that it would be a great addition to a blind bag. I know that having the ability to cook, serve, and eat hot food is simply outstanding when you are out in the elements.
Find It Here:
http://www.gsioutdoors.com/shop/cooking/integrated-cooking-systems/pinnacle-soloist-complete.html

What can be done better?

I have to say that I absolutely hated the shroud that comes with this stove. It was nothing but an enormous headache and I really could have gone my whole life without ever attempting to use it. That said the rest of this kit is fantastic. I love the nesting design and functionality of the whole package. I would like to see the lid fit just a bit more snug and addition of an ignition source would be really helpful. The kit was really a nice little package but that darn shroud was a real bummer.

I give the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist Complete 3.75 stars.

Shop GSI gear at Cabela’s

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As the December 15 deadline to apply for Alaska’s most coveted big-game tags approaches, one opportunity stands above all others: limited-entry Dall sheep. If you’ve ever dreamed of pursuing this iconic high-country species, now is the time to apply.

Why this Hunt Matters More than Ever

In the not-too-distant past, Alaska suffered back-to-back-to-back severe weather events that dramatically impacted Dall sheep populations across much of the state, resulting in fewer over-the-counter opportunities and even closures. Hunters have been forced to look to Canada, where hunts are now largely sold out through 2027 and prices have surged beyond $60,000. Even at such outrageous prices, availability is scarce.

This shift has made Alaska’s limited-entry draw areas for Dall sheep one of the most valuable options left for serious hunters. With hunts priced between $28,000 and $35,000, applicants can still access very high-quality white sheep at nearly half the cost of Canadian alternatives.

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Despite the challenges statewide, the limited-entry regions—managed by very conservative tag allocations—continue to produce outstanding results for the lucky applicants of WTA TAGS:

100% shot opportunity during the past three seasons,
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Some of the largest Dall rams in North America.

For those willing to embrace the physical challenge, this hunt represents the ultimate North American mountain adventure.

Why…

My Alaska Range Grizzly Adventure

I’ve been a bear hunter my whole life, but grizzly was always the dream. When the time finally came, I reached out to WTA to book a hunt. My someday hunt was finally becoming a reality. I thought I knew what I was hoping for: one good opportunity at a mature grizzly. What actually happened over those 10 days was beyond anything I could have imagined.

My journey began in Anchorage, where I stayed the night before flying into the bush. The outfitter has a liaison in town to help with any last-minute needs, so no rental car was needed. The next morning at Merrill Field, I boarded a turboprop (they use caravans, not tiny Super Cubs) for the 1½-hour flight into hunting country.

At the airstrip, the crew waited with Kong—a massive military deuce-and-a-half that can ford rivers, plus Polaris six-wheelers. After a stop at the roadhouse to organize, we headed to moose camp, about four miles upriver.

The camp itself told stories of 50 years of hunting. Cabin walls covered with dozens of hunters’ stories, as far back as the ’70s. Old regulation books showing $50 polar bear licenses. Boxes of ammo, left behind over decades for anyone who might need them. Four cabins with wood stoves surrounded the main lodge, and there was a creek-fed shower with endless hot water. A crate of beer stays ice-cold in the stream. It’s glorious. Remote Alaska with just enough comfort to keep you hunting hard every day.

From the roadhouse, we spotted two black bears on the mountainside. That evening, the cameraman Jordan and I glassed near camp, getting oriented for what was supposed to be a grizzly-focused hunt.

The next morning, those black bears were still there. We moved in. At 390 yards, with shifting thermals threatening to blow our approach, I took my shot. Low but lethal. Two more shots finished it. While butchering, we discovered this old boar was peppered with birdshot—dozens of pellets in each leg and shoulder. Somewhere, sometime, he’d been a problem bear. He could take a bullet. By 3 p.m., we had meat in the freezer and the hide salted. We were back to looking for grizzly.

Day two took us seven miles up the creek on six-wheelers, somewhat technical riding through river crossings and over rough terrain. Near the old sheep camp, we spotted a sow with three cubs and various black bears, but no boars.

Then everything changed. Rounding an alder-lined corner, our guide hit the brakes. A black bear ahead was acting strangely. It was actually approaching us. Behind him, a grizzly was hunting him, panting from the chase. The black bear, caught between predators, escaped up the cliffs.

The grizzly sat on its haunches, exhausted, looking between us and the black bear as it escaped. This bear was in full predator mode, seemingly calculating whether we might be easier prey. Then he simply lay down for a nap, 400 yards away, completely unconcerned by our presence.

For 34 minutes, I stayed behind the gun. Time passed slowly as we talked through every scenario: “If he does this, we’ll do that.” Finally, he stood and turned broadside at 415 yards. One squeeze, perfect shot placement. He barrel-rolled down the slope.

This was it—the animal I’d wanted forever, taken in a sequence I couldn’t have scripted better. Pure euphoria.

We had two bears down and over a week left of hunting. Day three was Jordan’s birthday, and we decided to get him a bear tag from camp. This would be his first hunt behind a rifle. We picked up a great black bear in no time. Jordan’s demeanor totally changed as he went into hunt mode and put a perfect 350-yard shot right into the bear’s heart. Top-tier birthday!

Three bears in three days with a week remaining. I bought a second tag and grabbed my bow. We spent four days searching for another bear, exploring drainages, following wolf tracks, catching Dolly Varden, and collecting shed antlers. Living the full Alaska experience while always hunting.

On the second-to-last day, I spotted a huge black bear doing loops through berry patches on a steep face. After multiple failed positioning attempts, I opted to go solo while Jordan and our guide filmed from a distance. The bear, hearing me crash through the alders below him, thought I was another bear invading his berries. At nine yards, with his hackles up and ears flat, I put an arrow through his front shoulder. Our group’s fourth bear.

Four bears in four days. An incredible adventure. This was the outfitter’s first year focusing on Fall bear hunting. The populations are thriving (evident from the moose without calves), and they’ve wisely increased tag allocations.

I came to Alaska with a lifelong dream of taking a grizzly. What I got was something I couldn’t have imagined: multiple species, incredible encounters, and memories that transformed a dream hunt into something beyond dreams. The grizzly lying down in front of us, completely unafraid. Jordan’s pure joy at his first bear. Stalking with my bow, close enough to hear the bear growling and clacking its jaws.

Some hunts meet your expectations. This one created new ones. When you book with WTA, you’re not just booking a hunt, you’re setting yourself up for adventures you can’t even imagine.

Learn about this Hunt

The Central Flyway is a waterfowl superhighway—a vital corridor for migrating ducks and geese—and for those of us lucky enough to be waterfowlers, it offers unmatched opportunities to hunt and experience the migration from September through January.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of chasing ducks around the world, but many of my favorite memories come from following this flyway, especially during those early years when my duck-obsessed father would pull my brother and me out of school every Fall to chase birds.

That’s right! We missed school every year for dedicated waterfowl trips. No regrets.

In the true north country, along the edges of Canada’s boreal forest, early-season hunts are nothing short of magical. The birds are just beginning their journey south—hungry, unpressured, and eager to settle into newly harvested grain fields. It’s a waterfowler’s paradise. The decoy spreads in these northern zones are often among the first the birds see, and their eager, uneducated responses can be absolutely breathtaking.

One of the most unforgettable sights is the famed swirling cyclone of Canada geese funneling down into a field. I can still hear my dad yelling over the deafening honks, his voice barely audible, “They can’t hear us!” The birds were so loud that those at the top of the funnel couldn’t even hear the gunfire below. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know exactly the kind of spine-tingling moment I’m talking about.

When the birds pushed south, so did we.

The prairie pothole regions of North Dakota are pure waterfowl gold. The right pothole on a cold morning—especially if you can find open water—can be magic. And if the water’s frozen? My dad had a fix: get there early, break trail through the skim ice, and push it under itself to create an opening. Voilà…open water.

I’ll never forget one frigid morning. After breaking ice, my hands were bright red and on the edge of frostbite. I looked at my dad for sympathy, but he just grinned as the puddle ducks cupped up and said, “Do you want warm hands, or do you want to shoot ducks?” Like I said, he was a fanatic. I grabbed the old Winchester pump and did my best. That day, I also learned the value of hand warmers and Gore-Tex gloves.

There are so many unforgettable moments:

Slipping and sliding at a Nebraska reservoir, laughing hysterically as we wondered if we’d ever get the old Suburban and trailer back up the icy boat ramp. After limiting out on greenheads.
Rowing across the Delta Marsh in the dark to find the perfect crescent-shaped bulrush island to set the decoys that the canvasbacks couldn’t resist.
Chasing snow geese in South Dakota and realizing we’d finally picked the perfect field, the one that made it worth all those hours spent spray-painting sheet-metal shell decoys in the garage.

These weren’t just hunting trips. They were memories shared with family, with friends, and with the great outdoors itself.

In the end, missing a week of school every year was worth every single minute.

The last duck hunt I shared with my admittedly duck-crazy father was a world away and half a lifetime ago. The hunt may be long over, but the memory will always stay with me.

At WTA, we’re proud to connect our clients with trusted partners so they can experience these same one-of-a-kind adventures.

We offer incredible destinations and outstanding outfitters all along the Central Flyway—from Alberta and Saskatchewan to North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma—so you can create your own lasting memories.

Call Worldwide Trophy Adventures at 1-800-346-8747 today to book your trip of a lifetime.

See Central Flyway Hunts